[freelight]

Originally Posted by Damian

Christ is the "only begotten" (John 3:16). As such, Christ is the procreation of God.

Yes,....Jesus is the Only-begotten in the sense that He is the eternal generation of God, the first-born creation/creative power or 'logos' thru which all things proceed in the cosmic order. If we hold Jesus more in the traditional/orthodox or more liberal theologies where He has a certain preeminence....the Father still forever holds primacy, as the Ancestor of all, even if one assumes the eternal Son is co-equal somehow with God.

Even within the Godhead, in that sphere or reality before space and time, the divine Trinity eternally existed (actual/potential Deity), yet in the differential order and associative procession (time-wise), the Son derives his existence from the Father...and in a metaphysical sense....is the 'eternal generation' of God. From a more orthodox perspective to the more liberal/mystical interpretation of the Christ, that 'logos' is still within each soul, the generating light or divinity(image/seed) of God manifesting in the form of Man. We can cross-relate this concept of 'divine image' on many levels, since to behold the glory of God is to behold the glory of Man,...substance and form.

Of course there are grammatical/interpretive issues over the term 'only-begotten' (in John's gospel) that are interesting in this context, yet it was settled in a creed that Jesus is 'eternally begotten' of the Father, which may take some mental gymnastics to maintain (but we fluid folks have no problem).

2000 years after Jesus... the assumptions of his 'nature' or 'position' in the divine heirarchy continue........



pj

[Damian]

Originally Posted by biomystic

The reason why Christ is the image of God and where to look for that image as directed through the meaning of both the Son of Man and the meaning behind Ezekiel's Merkabah vision. I am in the process of updating my website where all will be revealed in good time. I'd tell all now but without reference sources it is too complex to convey in these forum posts.

I see. You really don't have anything specifically to offer us. And yet, you felt that you were in position to make such a snide remark. Of course, I did offer you something specifically in my previous post. In fact, what I offered was the very essence of Jesus' teachings.

[Damian]

Bump

Originally Posted by keypurr

Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Image or Form. Not God himself, but reflection of.

What about the part where Jesus "thought it not robbery to be equal with God?"

[freelight]

Originally Posted by willowjoy

Whether or not a deity does exist somewhere, I am of the opinion ALL religions are human creations without any input from gods/esses.

Hi willow

There is one reality that exists.....Existence itself.

Life is Self-evident, Self-cognizant, Self-authenticating. What is this 'Self'? - thats where the real journey begins.....with this quest-ion.

As far as God goes, we see Christ as being the image or expression of God in human form, which translates the light of God to us, as a living presence. This 'Christ' is an archetype, example or pattern for us in our spiritual journey.

Of course there is diversity/versatility in the religious traditions of the world, reflecting the conscious-capacity of man and nature of mind. However, we intuit that a universal, eternal, infinite Intelligence or Spirit-Presence is the Source of all perception and knowledge, therefore the foundation of all that is, actual and potential. We call this presence 'God', being either 'personal' or 'transpersonal'.

Thoughts, opinions, concepts, interpretations proceed from a Source, having an 'origin' that is prior to these. - that 'reality' is 'pure God'. It is absolute, while all else is relative as a play of creation.


pj

[biomystic]

Originally Posted by Damian

I see. You really don't have anything specifically to offer us. And yet, you felt that you were in position to make such a snide remark. Of course, I did offer you something specifically in my previous post. In fact, what I offered was the very essence of Jesus' teachings.

Do you see? If so, why didn't my words register to your mind? I told you why I'm not giving specifics here at this time. I want to have references as context of meaning for what I know. Be patient and I will post all I know about Christ as the image of God. It's quite fascinating because it's all of a piece, the ancients' reliance on astro-theology to base all religions on, even the Abrahamic ones which deny their astro-theological roots.

[Damian]

Originally Posted by freelight

Yes,....Jesus is the Only-begotten in the sense that He is the eternal generation of God, the first-born creation/creative power or 'logos' thru which all things proceed in the cosmic order. If we hold Jesus more in the traditional/orthodox or more liberal theologies where He has a certain preeminence....the Father still forever holds primacy, as the Ancestor of all, even if one assumes the eternal Son is co-equal somehow with God.

Yeaah, this is a logical relation, not a temporal one. For example, "awareness" presupposes "self-awareness." In fact, that's basically what is being expressed here. Christ is the "image of God." Christ is God's "self" awareness (Atman-Brahman). But God's "self-awareness" is eternal.

"It must be understood that the word "first" as applied to Him is not a time concept. He is first in the sense that He is the First in the Holy Trinity Itself. He is the Prime Creator, because He created His co-creators. Because He did, time applies neither to Him nor to what He created." - A Course in Miracles